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Health Desk-- 11 February, 2018: Experts have stressed the need for creating mass awareness about the sign and symptoms of leprosy and ensuring treatment for all leprosy patients free of cost, reports BSS.

“Leprosy mainly affects the skin and superficial segments of peripheral nerves, but can affect any tissue except brain and spinal cord. However, it is not a hereditary disease,” Dr Afsar Siddiqui, Assistant Professor of Sex, Skin and Venereal Diseases of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, told BSS.

Describing the major sign and symptoms of leprosy, he said the late case diagnosis, little knowledge among community people, social stigma and limited mental health services are the major challenges towards eradication of the disease.

As leprosy service providers are limited in the country, the physician said, authorities concerned should extend cooperation towards the existing organisations giving services to leprosy patients and encourage new doctors to work for the leprosy patients.

Social awareness must be created so that no leprosy patient remains out of treatment since the untreated cases are the only source of more infection, Dr Afsar said.